Need some help with FastPasses and Strategies

[autkidd]

My fiancé (new wife when we go) are heading down from December 13th-Dec 21st. I have been to Disney a few times but I was younger and she has never been. I need some help with trying to schedule our FP's and routes around the parks. Hopefully you can help.

I have been able to get all the ADR's I've wanted to get and know they may change depending on FP availability. But I have no clue one how to go about scheduling them to help make things flow easier. I also understand it may be a headache trying to reserve them when I want them as well.

But I need to set up a game plan as my day to reserved them is inching closer and closer.

I have done some research on the best days to go to the various parks and have tried to do a "Green Day" for each park.

13th- MK (MVMCP) We probably will be getting there around 5. I think I can get one FP in between 5-6. I'm thinking Space Mountain.

14th- HS- No clue how to go about this I know we want to ride TOT, RRC, Star Tours, and TSMM. We have an ADR at Minnie's Holiday Dine at 4:45pm. We also want to the various shows as well. How should I set up our FP's?

15th-MK- This is a day we move from POP to CBR. So we plan on going to MK until our room is ready.
Not really sure how we should attack MK. I think I'd like to do Fantasy Land and Tomorrowland on this day. I know I want to do 7DMT and I know she wants to see the Under the Sea thing. Dumbo is a must do for sentimental factor. Space Mountain is something I want to ride as much as possible as it was the first roller coaster I went on.

16th-Epcot- I think I want to spend this day going around the world as we have a more open day later in the week. This day we have a 12:10 ADR at Biergarten and then a time for the Candlelight Processional at 8:15pm. What time should we get in line for that showing. And what are some things that are a must do around Christmas time in the World Showcase?

17th- Resort Tour I have this nailed down

18th Magic Kingdom This is the day I'd like to tackle Adventureland, Liberty Square, and Frontierland.
Have really no clue on this as far as rides. I love Splash Mountain, but not sure of when to do it in the day as it is December and we do have a reservation at Cape May Café at 7:30 so I don't want to do it late in the day to risk being wet at that ADR.

19th- Animal Kingdom- I will try to do the safari as early as possible, but not sure about a plan for the rest of the day?

20th- Epcot- Will try and do the rides part of Epcot this day.

21- Magic Kingdom- Will do what we have missed or want to do again. I know this will be a crowded day here. we do have an ADR at 11am at BOG. Will be leaving around 2 or 3 to head back to the hotel to catch our late flight home.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Wow!!! You have done your own research and these questions are excellent, here is my opinion.


13th MK...Yes to Space Mt. FP
14th HS SO you can't get a FP for TS and RRC they are both Tier one. You would do best to get the FP for TS, ToT and Star Tours and ride RRC early morning or late in the evening. I would in the morning go to RRC ride then FP for ToT for first hour, then move to TS get FP for an hour or two after ToT (if possible), you can kill time at GMR and the Little Mermaid Show (if it's still there.) Then Star Tours FP around 3 PM and head over to your ADR.
15th MK FP for 7DMT is a MUST, you're going there at a relatively slower time period so you don't need FP for Dumbo or Ariels Under the Sea. I would go with Peter Pan and Space Mt. again for your must do. Get an early time for SM so you can hit that on the way to Fantasyland.
16th I love the decorations and they do have a the Christmas around the countries, small shows about each countries holiday traditions. I have never been to the Candlelight Processional, however I hear that 45 minutes to an hour on busy nights is not uncommon. Get a FP for either Soarin or for TT (you will thank me later)
17th Have fun on your resort tour down day with your new bride.
18th MK FP for Haunted Mansion, TMRR and either Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean, the pirates line always moves pretty quickly but may experience higher ride volume because it had been down for refurb for months. Then you can gauge on the weather of the day if you want to ride Splash Mt. or not.
19th FP for Expedition Everest and the Finding Nemo show. Both are close together so get the FP's back to back, keeping in mind the Finding Nemo show is 40 minutes long. Finding Nemo fills up fast as it has less capacity then the Lion King show, which is also a not to be missed wonderful show.
20th Epcot has the dreaded Tiers where you can only pick one FP from Tier one so get the FP (Soarin or TT) that you did not get earlier in the week and then you are set, get a FP for Spaceship Earth and either Mission Space or Living with the land, you probably won't need them but there aren't too many other options at Epcot. Unless you want to take cool photos with the characters at the Character Spot.
21st MK Go ahead and FP Space Mt again, it's totally worth it! I would also FP Enchanted Tales with Belle if you are so inclined and maybe try for 7DMT again.

A Note on making your FP selections: When the window opens up try to do the initial FP's on a computer or tablet rather then cell phone. It's just easier to see the screen and move quickly. Have a cheat sheet of what you want and the times and on the first pass just get your attractions done first, don't pay too much attention to the times they assign you. Then go back and change the times of the FP's. This is the fastest way I have found to do it. I got all the FP's I wanted including the coveted TSMM, A&E and 7DMT for around the times that I wanted.

 

[mesaboy2]

You may find the green link in my signature helpful.

 

[Mikie]

Looks like you have an excellent plan already!

You got great info from prior posters (if you'real on a phone and can't see the signature Mesaboy referred to with his enormously helpful FP+ thread, go here FastPass+ Basic Info, Suggested Priorities, And Strategies--Part II

As far as the flow of your day, I like to group Fastpasses in geographical area and around a known meal/show/parade time. For example FP in tomorrowland 10-11a, (ride it near the middle or end of the window), 11:00 lunch at BOG, next FP in Fantasyland 11:45-12:45, FP3 12:45-1:45 in Fantasyland. You'll still be eating during the beginning of FP window #2, but after the meal, you can wander right to that ride and then window 3 will be open. You're now free to try for more Fastpasses or simply enjoy things at your leisure without clock-watching.

18th - I'd pick midday for Splash (as warm as it's going to get, but plenty far from dinner ADR). If it's a chilly day, you can always skip it and change your FP on the App
19th - AK is widely reported to be very do-able without FP even, so any way you schedule them there, you win. I definitely like a safari FP and Expedition Everest - because it's awesome and lines can get long.
Have a great trip!

 

[autkidd]

Thanks for the tips! I'll check out that link.

 

[autkidd]

Just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped. Just got my fast passes tonight and think I've got a good plan. I'll post in the morning as it is late and need to get some sleep now!